Evaluating economic value of 23 strawberry cultivars in the climatic conditions of Central Europe

Aim of the project was to test 23 strawberry cultivars in the climate of Poland and evaluate their economic value. 13 of discussed cultivars were newly bread in Poland and 10 are of foreign origin including cultivars that were never tested in East–Central Europe. All of these cultivars were evaluated in comparison to the 4 standard cultivars used in Poland. The experiment was conducted between 2004 and 2011 in central Poland in the Research Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice. The data were analyzed using linear mixed model. The results shows that cultivar ‘Paladyn’ performed exceptionally well regarding yield and fruit size. Thus, it is one of the best cultivars for including into canon strawberry cultivars, not only in Poland. The rest of tested cultivars, especially those with foreign origin, may need specific treatment or more investigation to accomplish more in the climatic conditions of this geographical region

Particulate matter hinders the development and reproduction of predatory mites of Euseius finlandicus (Acariformes: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract The foliage of the small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) is characterised by the nerve axils being grown by non-glandular trichomes, which trait contributes to the enhanced retention of the particulate matter (PM). This fact may disturb the ecological service of T. cordata related to the structure of its leaves, which is to provide acarodomatia (micro-shelters) for the predatory mites of the Phytoseiidae family. Phytoseiids are natural enemies of a variety of plant pests, widely applied in integrated pest management (IPM). Their occurrence is largely related to acarodomatia in which these mites hide, feed, reproduce, and develop. For the first time, the influence of PM deposition within spaces typically occupied by phytoseiids is investigated. Experimental populations of Euseius finlandicus were reared on T. cordata leaves in the progressive PM-pollution. The results showed that the values of life table parameters of the predator depended significantly on the level of PM deposition on leaves. Contrary to clean leaves from the control, the medium and high contamination intensities significantly reduced the daily (by 47% and 70%, respectively) and the total fecundity (by 62% and 77%, respectively) of females which, in turn, resulted in a decreased net reproductive rate (by 67% and 81%, respectively), intrinsic rate of increase (by 40% and 55%, respectively) and finite rate of increase (by 8% and 10%, respectively) of E. finlandicus. The pre-ovipositional period was prolonged, while the oviposition duration was shortened and the mites matured longer. In high pollution level the mortality of phytoseiids was boosted by 19% and some females were observed with pollutant lumps adhered to the idiosoma. Also, significant shares of juvenile forms (13%) and adult females (25%) made attempts to escape from highly contaminated experimental arenas. The implications of PM retention on the shelter vegetation are discussed in the context of IPM and ecological services